MAY – 15: CERC NEWS
CERC gets a new CEO
Mr. Uday Mawani has joined CERC as Chief Executive Officer. He has over 40 years of experience in mentoring, management, marketing, advertising and media communication, market research, television and broadcasting. Mr. Mawani was CEO and whole-time director of Suvik Communications (p) Ltd for 18 years from 1984 to 2002. More recently, he has mentored several companies and advertising agencies. He has also been providing communication services and consultancy to various voluntary organisations.
Mr. Mawani has been associated extensively with developmental communication and creating edutainment for women, farmers, dairy producers, entrepreneurs and managers. Television programming is also his area of expertise. Earlier in his career, he conceived and designed several media campaigns for National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) and Amul. He was also consultant for a television channel – Tara (Gujarati). He has received several awards from Rotary International for his contributions to various causes.
CERC conducts training programme on Consumer Protection Act
Over 50 participants from various consumer organisations across Gujarat, advocates and consumers took part in a successful training programme on ‘Consumer Protection Act and Related Issues’ conducted by CERC at its premises on 31 March 2015. Ms Pritee Shah, Chief General Manager, CERC, said that the focus of the training programme would be on important provisions of the Act that are not being used extensively as of now.
Mr. Rajiv Mehta, Consumer Representative in Gujarat State Consumer Commission, highlighted the introduction of new provisions such as unfair terms of contract, mediation, product liability and enforcement of orders. Mr. Apurva Dave, Advocate, Gujarat High Court and Governing Body Member, CERS, suggested that Class Action suits and Public Interest Litigations (PILs) should also be filed in consumer courts on larger consumer issues.
No tariff increase for monthly consumption up to 200 units
Gujarat Electricity Regulatory Commission (GERC) has not increased any tariff for residential consumers having monthly consumption up to 200 units. The only increase for these consumers will be Rs. 5 per month due to revision in fixed charges from Rs. 60 to Rs. 65 for three-phase supply only.
GERC has increased tariff for monthly consumption above 200 units/month by 2.3% for Torrent and 2.47% for GUVNL consumers. The new tariff rates became applicable from 1 April 2015 and are valid for one year. GERC has accepted the CERS proposal and directed GUVNL and Torrent to cover their 40% deficit by implementing efficient and economical measures. CERS has been demanding that tariff should be based on performance of electricity companies and paying capacity of consumers. CERS has thanked GERC for implementing these suggestions.
